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We first saw this latest chassis from Dell's desktop replacement range four months ago. It has now been updated from its previous Pentium 4 2.4GHz core to a Centrino chip, running at 1.7GHz. Surprisingly, the case does not use Dell's traditional black finish, instead opting for a blue/grey colour that neither excites nor sets it apart from the crowd.
However, it has all you'd require from a multimedia-ready notebook aimed at replacing a traditional desktop PC. What it lacks in portability, it more than makes up for in power, which is just as well given its bulky frame.
The 8600 is thin but, as it uses a 15.4in wide aspect ratio screen, it's an effort to carry it around for too long. However, the super-crisp WUXGA panel offers a resolution of 1,920 x 1,200, with a very wide viewing angle, which is perfect for working with multiple documents simultaneously and watching DVDs.
This is well supported by the inclusion of an Nvidia Geforce FX Go5650 with 128MB of its own memory. Curiously, this chip does not officially exist; only the Go5600 is officially supported. However, both the graphics processing unit and memory clock speeds are the same here as on a 5600, and the driver was the most recent from Nvidia's site at time of testing.
Scores in our graphics tests place this chip at the top of the 3D pile, yet even given this high score. The Insprion 8600's battery life was the best we have seen from a desktop replacement, at more than three and a half hours.
The 8600 also came with a DVD writer combo drive, which is what we would expect for the asking price. It uses the Plus format, which Dell believes will be the victor in the never-ending DVD writer format war.
Notable external features include dual pointer control and custom power cable, which is likely to mean extra expense if you need to replace it.
The 8600 has the usual array of ports: two USB2s, a mini Firewire, two PC Card slots and a 56K modem. The 8500 incorporates Ethernet and wireless networking options. Unlike some of its other models, Dell has chosen to go for the full Centrino branding here, and has included a Calexico wireless card inside - a requirement for any notebook that has the Centrino sticker on its chassis. It obviously also follows Intel's requirements by using the 855 chipset with its Pentium M processor. The 8600 also includes 512MB of memory as well as a decent sized 80GB hard disk.
As is customary with Dell notebooks, the keyboard is excellent to type on, and has all the buttons in the right place. However, unlike all previous Dells, while it may have both a touchpad and trackpoint, the buttons on both are appalling. Those on the trackpoint in particular are set far too deep into the chassis to be practical, while the touchpad buttons are uncomfortable to use.
In keeping with previous Inspirons the design incorporates 'Quicksnap' covers, allowing for a spot of mobile phone fascia-style customisation to suit your mood. Quite what mood you'd have to be in to like the Venice Blue option is unclear, but four other options are available.
Good value, but not necessarily that well designed, the Inspiron 8600 has all the accoutrements any self-respecting worker on the move would need. We can't help but wish, though, that Dell had stuck with its original chassis as it was much more of a pleasure to use.
Contact: Dell
www.dell.com/uk
Specifications:
- Intel Pentium M 1.7GHz -
- 512MB 266MHz DDR-Ram -
- 80GB hard disk -
- DVD writer -
- Intel 855 chipset -
- Nvidia Geforce4 5650 -
- 15.4in widescreen WUXGA TFT display 1,920 x 1,600 pixels -
- Windows XP Home, Microsoft Works 7 -
- Integrated Ethernet, Intel 802.11b/g wireless networking (Truemobile 1180) -
- 2.99kg -
- 361 x 276 x 38.6mm (w x d x h)
See also:
All Notebooks & Tablets PCs
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